Backpack

Abstract

The invention is directed to a backpack, comprising a backpack body and at least one shoulder strap. The backpack body defines at least one storage compartment. The backpack body has a back-facing face. The back-facing face having at least one air channel defined thereon. The at least one air channel has at least one opening at the periphery of the back-facing face. The at least one shoulder strap is connected to the backpack body. The at least one shoulder strap is adapted for mounting the backpack on a wearer.

1 . A backpack, comprising: 
 a backpack body, the backpack body defining at least one storage compartment and having longitudinally extending sides, the backpack body having a back-facing face and an away-facing face the back-facing face having a first channel positioned to face the spine of a wearer when in use thereby defining a section of the back-facing face extending between a longitudinally extending side and the first channel, and first and second upper deformable pads that are positioned on either side of the first channel, each upper deformable pad having an upper end that extends a substantial portion of the distance between a longitudinally extending side and the first channel.    
   
   
       2 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the upper ends of the first and second upper deformable pads extend substantially across the back-facing face.  
   
   
       3 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the upper ends of the first and second upper deformable pads extend generally horizontally when the backpack is worn by the wearer.  
   
   
       4 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second upper deformable pads have inner and outer lateral sides and the inner lateral sides have an upper portion that extend generally vertically when the backpack is worn by the wearer.  
   
   
       5 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second upper deformable pads have inner and outer lateral sides and the inner lateral sides have an upper portion that extend generally proximate to the spine of the wearer when the backpack is worn by the wearer.  
   
   
       6 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second upper deformable pads have inner and outer lateral sides and the inner lateral side of each pad has a lower portion that curves towards the outer lateral side of the same pad.  
   
   
       7 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the backpack body further comprises side faces extending between the back-facing back and the away-facing face, the longitudinally extending sides contacting the side faces and an outer lateral side is positioned adjacent each longitudinally extending side of the back-facing back.  
   
   
       8 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a lower pad that is positioned to extend across the spine of the wearer when the back pack is worn by the wearer.  
   
   
       9 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the back-facing back has longitudinally extending sides and the lower pad extends from one longitudinally extending side to the other longitudinally extending side.  
   
   
       10 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the lower pad extends substantially across the back-facing face.  
   
   
       11 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the lower pad extends from a position proximate one longitudinally extending side of the back-facing face to a position proximate the opposing longitudinally extending side of the back-facing face.  
   
   
       12 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pads are made from an open cell foam.  
   
   
       13 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the first and second upper deformable pads have lower ends that are spaced from the lower pad and define a second channel therebetween.  
   
   
       14 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the first and second channels are shaped as a generally inverted Y.  
   
   
       15 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the first and second channels have at least one opening at the periphery of the back-facing face.  
   
   
       16 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the first and second channels have a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings are configured to be in fluid communication with ambient air when in use.  
   
   
       17 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the lower pad is positioned to engage the lumbar region of the back of the wearer when in use.  
   
   
       18 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the first upper pad, the second upper pad and the lower pad make up the only portion of the backpack body that contacts the back of the wearer when in use.  
   
   
       19 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a back board positioned on the back-facing face, wherein the back board is at least semi-rigid.  
   
   
       20 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one storage compartment has a bottom, wherein a bottom board is positioned at the bottom, wherein the bottom board is at least semi-rigid, wherein the bottom board is angled upwards in a direction away from the back-facing face, wherein the backpack is configured to maintain the bottom board generally in the direction when the backpack contains a load therein.  
   
   
       21 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner lateral side is shorter then the outer lateral side and the lower side is arcuate in shape.  
   
   
       22 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein back-facing face has the outer longitudinally extending sides and the outer lateral sides are positioned adjacent the longitudinally extending sides of the back-facing back.  
   
   
       23 . A backpack as claimed in as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pads have an outer cover that is open mesh.  
   
   
       24 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first channel is open to the back of the wearer.  
   
   
       25 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first channel is sufficiently deep so as to substantially avoid contact with the spine of the wearer.  
   
   
       26 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the first channel has an opening and the second channel extends at an angle thereto and has laterally spaced apart openings and the second channel adjacent the laterally spaced apart openings is narrower then the first channel adjacent the opening of the first channel.  
   
   
       27 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the backpack body has a top face defining an opening to the storage compartment and a zipper to selectively open and close the storage compartment.  
   
   
       28 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage compartment defines a volume having a back-facing surface and the pads are secured to the back-facing back so as to be non-moveably mounted with respect to the back-facing surface.